I Just Quit My Job -- Im A Full-time Business Owner/operator Now

GoodPainter

Hey guys and gals,

If you read any of my posts in the last year, you should have known that:

I was starting a painting biz from scratch along side my full time job.
Well having myself and fiance with two kids to take care of, I just quit
my job.

My painting biz is getting busy and I havnt even been do much of my planned advertizing as scheduled--it has been too busy
and my job was in the way. I juggled the two for about 9 months and
had not had much slow time. Right now I have a full time sub and a
part time helper, looking for more help also.

I am doing the smaller jobs and interior work myself along with the
part timer as help. My big advertizing plan was put on hold so I could
do all the estimates and contract signings. Now with the evenings
free I can schedule that stuff there and do my marketing/biz operating
at a more thorough and thoughtful pace.

I also am going to be able to read and study more. I can also meet
new people and line up my network of subs, contractors, accountants,
bookkeepers, attorneys, etc. Start my marketing towards commercial
work, Apartments, and New construction, prob in that order.

I am also starting on my referral campain with bonuses to previous
customers and new ones that they refer.

I will also be starting to branch out and form other llc's to take
care of landscaping, siding, windows, remodeling, roofing, additions,
decks, concrete and masonry, along with GC and myself becoming
a builder someday
(just my dreams that I have been succeeding with
sofar, thru planning and setting small goals)

Well, I hope to be here more often since I slacked(actually been too busy)
Now that I have more free time...

***Please If you have any words of encouragment or thoughts...***
Let me know..
remember I have 2 kids and a fiance that depend on me.

Thanx all

__________________
Robert Good
It's Your Life-Make Fun Of It!
http://www.robertgoodpainting.com

POOLMANinCT

in a nutshell - STaY FOCUSSED,
it is better to wait unitl you can do things properly....

__________________
......Less with the jaw & More with the paw.....

SuperiorBuilt

I agree stay focussed but also make a business plan. You may be busy now but you never now what the future holds.

plazaman

Venture out of the safety net into the unknown.

Its all about Risk.

Quit the job & go for it!

__________________
Westchester Remodeling Contractor
Hartsdale Remodeling Contractor
Ardsley Remodeling Contractor

send_it_all

Dont put off that advertising. Speaking from experience, (been sitting home for a week), it is better to have to turn away work than to have to hunt for it.

ron schenker

Amen to that

__________________
Don't worry, the baseboard will hide it!

ruskent

Right now it looks like i have more work booked than ever before. So now i am upping my advertising and planning to hit my target market hard! I figure that if i am busy, everyone else must be, and that means they proably arnt advertising.

Matt

dirt diggler

i hate to keep agreeing with Ray today, lol

but that is GREAT non-cliched advice that you hardly hear and that probably few are aware of

plazaman

hows business so far?

__________________
Westchester Remodeling Contractor
Hartsdale Remodeling Contractor
Ardsley Remodeling Contractor

GoodPainter

Business is doing very good. I just finished my biggest job ever =2months, actually I had some trouble with my help, I estimated for 120 hours and it took 150 hrs. but oh well I learned.

I also fired one fulltimer and hired a new full timer and 2 part timers
to go with me and my part timer.

I am still putting food on the table for my family and living a little "richer" than before but It definatly is harder (i love it!)

I still do a lot of adv just put my name in 2008 yellow book--so
I will see what $825 will get me. I am still doing my letters postcards and
other stuff.

One thing I am having trouble with is getting a new vehicle. Damn, I can't decide on a pick-up or a van. Wanted to get an
Astro van for the longest time and now that I am ready to purchase,
I am thinking about a pick-up with ext cab or 4door maybe diesel and
then haul a trailer to drop off at job.......undecided still!

Business is challenging, but I like it. It will be everchanging with many
obstacles in the way and large mountains to climb. I live for this stuff
And I still have the positive outlook even with the slowing winter just around
the corner...
I am taking a good look at MY business from the outside in and the inside out
I am analytical and hoping that I am not missing anything.

Planning starting 2 businesses a year starting 2008
Landscaping in the spring(the truck/tailer will come in handy)
and possible
Powerwashing too(I already offer this but kinda want it separated)

Siding, decking, roofing, hardscaping, remodeling, additions,
and of course house building within 5 years.

So if ya live around my place of the woods and own a biz or are thinking
of starting, please do-- I love competition.

So...
the business is ok

Thanx for the inquiry,

__________________
Robert Good
It's Your Life-Make Fun Of It!
http://www.robertgoodpainting.com

Chris G

Congrats on the success Robert. You've been a real good example of how slow and steady wins the race, (something I struggle with!).

As to the Van or Pickup. Well, the Astro I bought last year has made me lots of money and save me lots of time, (everything is there for me.). And believe it or not, it's actually pretty nice to drive.

Danno6102

Inspiring words for someone that is trying to get the balls to take the leap as well. I know how hard it can be with 2 kids & a wife myself. I've been doing all the research I can on running the business. Still have a long way to go. I'm still just in the planning/research/learning stages & probably will be for the next few weeks. With the kids & the wife, it HAS to work, no other option, so everything must be in place & I must be confident they will not starve before I put in that 2 weeks notice.

Thanks & best of luck int he future!
Dan

dirt diggler

you WILL NOT have everything in place
you WILL starve at some point


it doesn't always work
no - there are always options


like the other guy startin - hope you have the stomach for all of this




wild guess - but you don't have any capital do you??? Being undercapitalized hurts (if not fatal) - and creates a ripple you WILL feel in the future.


don't spend so much time researching. you need to find projects. You need to find work. I'd keep the regular job (especially without capital) until you can't work evenings/weekends any longer

ruskent

Oh yea nothing ever works out the way you think it will. It will cost you ALOT more than you think to run a business. You will realize there are a ton on unbillable hours that you need to put in that will have to be worked in to your overhead.


Running a business is TUFF. I do not know how anyone can be succesfull in buisness if their business is not their entire life. I eat sleep and breath my business.

I thought about going out of buiness a couple times. I always have offers on the table, but i know once i get past my first couple years i should be doing well.

lukachuki

hand in there bro...so that I can come work for you.

__________________
"The problem with internet quotes is, you never know if they are authentic." -Abraham Lincoln-

Less with the jaw more with the paw!

ruskent

LOL.. I think i am just overwhelmed alittle bit. I have grown so much in one year it just seems like i am running around crazy. While in acctuality i am just running a business.

I always thought that i never start a job and bounce off to another job. That one of the main things i prided my self on. Then the town takes to long to issue permit updates, material gets back ordered, etc etc, etc you got no choice but to start another job or loose money.

dirt diggler

i wouldn't get comfortable ... ever

one prob i have is that when things go well ... i tend to ease off. I don't scrutinize prices (i.e. won't compare vendor pricing, etc) - fixing that this yeaer

dougchips

When you start to dream about your work it is time to take a few days off.

__________________
To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

Danno6102

I've was a PM for a precast company a few years ago & dealt with commercial GC's everyday. If I can deal with those pricks, I think I have the stomach. We'll see.

I know it's going to be tough & take all of my time for it to be successful. I feel bad for my kids, never going to see there dad. Good thing they have a great mom.

I do have start up capital, plus 3 months of current salary set aside. Plan on staying here until I am certain it's going to succeed & as you said, until I can't do the weekend/evening thing anymore.

I have been absorbing everything I can from this site for the past week & all of you have had some great info. I know I'll be asking some stupid questions, I just ask that you provide constructive criticism.

Thanks for all the advice so far!
Dan

JoeBergess

Hey Good Painter, I'm glad your doing great. Your experience inspires me. Hope my business does just as well. It's so important to stay focused. Suck up all the encouragement and keep going man.

__________________
Joe